Cash register



July 5, 1932. B. M. SHIPLEY CASH REGISTER Filed March 5. 1929 ZlwtwntooBerni: M. Shipley y His (Maw ll :3. t.

Patented July 5, 1932 UNITED STATES PA'TENT OFFICE BERNIS M. SHIPLEY, OFDAYTON, OHIO, ASSIG-NOR TO THE NATIONAL CASH REGISTER COMPANY, OFDAYTON, 01-110, A CORPORATION OF MARYLAND CASH REGISTER Applicationfiled March 5,

This invention relates to' improvements in cash registers and similarmachines, and more particularly to improvements in ribbon feeding andreversing mechanisms for such machines.

The invention is illustrated in connection with, and is adapted to beused with machines of the type illustrated and described in applicationsfor Letters Patent of the United States, Serial Numbers 261,996 and3%,077, filed March 15, 1928 and March 2, 1929, respectively, by BernisM. Shipley.

It is an object of this invention to providea machine of the typeindicated, with a novel spring-actuated ribbon-reversing mechanism. 7 I

Another object is to provide a machine of the type indicated, with anovel control for a ribbon reversing mechanism.

Still another object is to provide in a machine of the type indicated, aribbon reversing mechanism having a. novel means to insure completeoperation of the controlling element.

lVith these and incidental objects in view, the invention consists ofcertain novel features of construction and combinations of parts, theessential elements of which are set forth in appended claims and apreferred form or embodiment of which is hereinafter described withreference to the drawing which accompanies and forms a part of thisspecification.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a view in left elevation of one convenient form of ribbonfeeding and reversing mechanism embodying this invention. V

Fig. 2 is a detail sectional view taken through one of the ribbonspools.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on lines 33, Fig. 2, through the ribbonspool, look ing in the direction of the arrows.

The machine chosen to illustrate the present invention is of thepress-down or keyoperated type, and is equipped'with a plurality ofgroups of keys, depression of any single key of any of which groupsoperates the well-known key coupler through which several functions ofthe machine are effected. The ribbon frame is readily placed in and V1929. Serial No. 344,362.

Operation of a key also sets indicators, adds the amounts represented bythe particular key or keys depressed, onto totalizers, sets typeelements, and takes impressions therefrom on record materials None ofthe elements for accomplishing these results are disclosed herein, asthey have no bearing on the present invention.

In machines of the class illustrated in the above-mentionedapplications, it is customary to efl'ect the record of the amounts orother data set up on the type carriers, by interposing an ink ribbonbetween the type carriers and the record material.

The ink ribbon (Fig. 1) through which the impression platen (not shown)takes impressions from the set of type elements (also not shown), isalternately wound on and unwound from two ribbon spools 31 and 32,rotatively mounted at the opposite ends of a self-contained ribbon frameor unit removably supported in the machine above the type elements. Thisribbon frame includes similarly shaped sides 33 and 34 joined by crosspins 35 and 36, projecting from the side 33, and telescoped within theinner ends of tubes 38 supported on studs 39, only one of which isshown, ig. 2), projecting from the side 34:. A cross rod 40, alsoprojecting from the side 34 extends between the two sides and through ahole in the side 33, the outer protruding end of the cross rod having anannular groove formed thereon, adapted to be engaged by a retaining clip41 pivoted at 42 to the outer face of the side 33 to hold the sides 33and 34 together. The cross pins 35, 36 and the cross rod 40, also serveto guide the ribbon 30 as it is fed at each operation of the machine.

After the removal of the ribbon frame from the machine, it may bequickly disasremoved from the machine. To insert the ink ribbon frameinto the machine, it is only necessary to enter the headed studs 42 and43 projecting from the outer face of the side 33, into the mouths ofslots 44 and 50 in the machine frame 51, shown in dot-and-dash lines inFig. 1. The ribbon frame is then pressed downwardly guided by the wallsof the slots ,44 and 50until the studs 42 and 43 rest'at the bottoms ofthe slots.

The ribbon spools are each supported in like manner at the respectiveends of the ribbon frame, and only the spool 32, which appears insection in Fig. 2, need be described.

The spools each comprise a tube, from the opposite ends of which projectlugs 49 which pass throughperforations formed through apertured disks 52and 53 respectively, the ends of the lugs being bent outwardly radiallyof the disks to secure the latter snugly against the ends of the tube32, to form a spool, the bore of the tube lying in line with theapertures in the disks.

The spool is rotatably supported at one end on a trunnion 54 projectinginwardly from the side 33 of the ribbon frame, and at its 0pposite endon an elongated thimble or bushing 55 journaled on a stud 56 secured toand projecting inwardly from the complementary side 34 of the ribbonframe.

The trunnion 54 is journaled in the side 33 through which it projects,the. longer inner end of the trunnion extending through the aperture inthe adjacent end disk 52 and into the bore of the tube 32. Preferably,the diameter of the trunnion 54 is just sufficient to enable it to passthrough the aperture in the disk 52, which aperture, as well as that inthe disk 53, is of less diameter than and is concentric with the bore ofthe tube 32, so that the spool is supported at its opposite ends by theedges of the disks 52, 53.

The aperture in the disk 53 encircles the thimble 55, the open end ofwhich is outwardly flanged, as at 47, and accommodates the stud 56. Thestud 56 is provided with a reduced extension 46 passing through a holeformed in the inner closed end of the thimble, the reduced end acting asa guide for the thimble. A spring 57 encircling the reduced end 46 ofthe stud 56 and hearing at its opposite ends against the closed end ofthe thimble and the shoulder formed by reducing the end of the stud 56,serves to advance the tliimble to the left (in Fig. 2), which latter, byits flange 47, forces the spool towards the'left (Fig. 2) to press theouter face of the disk 52 at the opposite end of the spool against ashoulder 48 formed on the trunnion 54, thereby forcing the trunnion tothe left. A disk 58 fast on the trunnion is thus pressed against theinner face of the adjacent side frame 33 to create friction whichprevents overrunning of the spool and a too-free rotation thereof, forthe purpose of holding the ribbon taut at 52 and 58 respectively toconnect the disksand the trunnion 54 so that they will rotate as a unit.

Ribbon feeding mechanism Ratchet wheels 60 and 61 are secured to theouter ends of the respective trunnions of each spool 54 to rotate thespools 31 and 32, thereby winding the ribbon on one spool, and unwindingit from the remaining spool.

A bell crank 62 (Fig. 1) journaled on a rod 63, supported in the frame51 of the machine, and adapted to be rocked first counter-clockwise andthen clockwise at each operation of the machine, carries feed pawls and71, pivoted on arms 72 and 73, respectively, of the bell crank. Springs74 and 75 rock their respective feed pawls 7 O and 71 into co-operativerelation with their corresponding ratchets 60 and 61. However, only oneof the feed pawls 70 or 71 is permitted to engage its ratchet at anytime, the other feed pawl being held clear of its ratchet by a stud 78or 79 therein resting on one of a plurality of lobes 76 on the peripheryof a control disk 77 j ournalen on the rod 63. [is illustrated in Fig.1, the stud 78 on the feed pawl 70, rests on a lobe 76 of the controldisk 77, to hold the pawl 70 clear of its ratchet 60, whereas since nolobe 76 is in contact with the stud 79 on the feed pawl 71, the spring75 holdsthe free end of this feed pawl in contact with its ratchet 61,so that when the bell crank rocks counterclockwise it will advance theratchet 61 one step or notch in a counter-clockwise direction to feedthe ribbon, unwinding it from spool 32 and winding it on spool 31.

To rock the bell crank 62, the end of the arm 73 thereof is forked toembrace a stud 80 projecting laterally from a driving arm 81 ex tendingforwardly from the well-known rocking key coupler 82 supported in themachine frame 51, and in another frame, not shown. Depression of any ofa plurality of keys 83, a fragment of one of which appears in Fig. 1,pivoted on a cross rod 84, supported in the side frame, not shown, ofthe machine, rocks the key coupler 82 clockwise, which, through the arm81 and its stud 80, rocks the bell crank 62 counterclockwise to draw thefeed pawl 71 downwardly and thus advance the ratchet 61 and spool 31 onestep in a clockwise direction. On this movement, the stud 78 on the feedpawl 70 rides on the arcuate edge of the particular disabling lobe 76 ofthe control disk 77 to prevent engagement of the feed pawl with itsratchet 60. Upon removal of pressure from the key 83, the force ofgravity acting upon the key coupler 82, restores the key 83 to itsundepressed position and rocks the bell crank 62 clockwise to its normalposition, which restores the feed pawls 70 and 71 to their normalpositions.

The feed pawls and 71, on their restoring travel, do not affect theribbon spools 31 and 32, the active pawl, which is in contact with itsratchet, merely riding idly over the ratchet to its normal position.

Ribbon feed renaming mechanism Obviously, if the control disk 77 isadvanced one step, it will shift the active lobe 76 away from the stud78, for example, to enable the spring 74 to rock its feed pawl 70 toeffective position relatively to its corresponding ratchet 60, and bythe same movement, will introduce another lobe 76 beneath the stud 79 ofthe active feed pawl 71 to rock the la ter to idle position against thetension of its spring 75.

However, the control disk 7 7 remains where set'until the ribbon ispractically fed off of one spool and onto the other, at which time,means is provided to automatically advance the control disk one step toreverse the direction of feed of the ribbon.

A pawl 94 pivoted on one arm of a lever 96 journaled on a cross rod 97,engages a ratchet 98 fast with the control disk 77 to actuate the latterstep by step. A spring 93 connected to the pawl 94operates to impose acontinuous draft on the pawl tending to rotate the ratchet 98 andcontrol disk, 77 counter-clockwise, but such advance of the control diskis normally prevented by restraining means under control of the ribbon,as now explained.

When the ribbon is nearly all'unwound from one of the spools 31 or 32,it is desired to reverse the direction of feed so as to re wind theribbon on the spool from which it was just unwound, and unwindfit fromthe spool upon whichit wasjust wound. Mechanism under control of thewell known collapsible spool (see Letters Patentof the United Statesissued to C. F. Rosien on March 23, 1926, No. 1,578,209) to accomplishthis 5 reversing action, will now be described.

The periphery of the disk 52 is recessed, as shown at 90, (Fig. 3), therecess being normally closed and the circumference of the disk 52 filledin by an annulus 91, pivoted at 59 on the disks 52 and 58. The stud59-is riveted to the annulus 91 and enters openings in the disks 52 and28 as hereinbefore described.

The annulus surrounds the tube forming the body of the spool 32, theinner perimeter of the annulus having a lip 92 struck laterallytherefrom to lie within an aperture 89 formed in the tube, though thisaperture is not essential to the operation ofthe parts.

When the ribbon is wound on the spool 32, it winds over the lip 92 onthe annulus 91 and presses it inwardly towards the axis ofthe spool, soas to cause the periphery of the annulus to fill out or complete thecircumferential periphery of the disk 52. The tendency of the controldisk 77 to rotate under the influence of the spring 93 presses theinclined edge of one of the lobes 76 against a stud 99 on an elbow lever100, one end of which elbow lever is pivoted at 101, and tends to rockthe elbow lever counter-clockwise. A roller 102 mounted on the offsetfree end of the elbow lever 100 is forced into contact with theperipheries of the disk 52 and its auxiliary annulus 91, and so long asthere is suflicient ribbon on the spool to confine the lip against thetube of the spool, so as to maintain the annulus in position to prevententry of the roller 102 into the recess 90 in the disk 52, the elbowlever is prevented from rocking, and hence its stud 99 in contact withone of the lobes 76 of the control disk effectually holds the controldisk 77 against rotation by the spring 93 and pawl 94.

When, after repeated operations of the machine, the ribbon is nearly allunwound from the spool 32, the pressure of roller 102 on the peripheryof the annulus 91 as the recess 90 arrives opposite the roller, rocksthe annulus 91 and shifts the lip 92 away from the axis of the spool 32,allowing the roller to enter the recess 90 in the disk 52, which enablesthe elbow lever 100 to rock, carrying its stud 99 clear of the lobe 76.As a consequence, the spring 93 operates the pawl 94 to rotate thecontrol disk 77 until the action of the spring is arrested by the freeend 103 of the lever 96 striking a stud 104 in the arm 73 on the bellcrank 62. This movement of the control disk 77 is just sufficient toshift the lobe 76 from beneath the stud 78, whereupon the spring 74rocks the feed pawl 70 counter-clockwise to engage its feed ratchet 60.At the same time, the inclined edge of another lobe 76 wipes beneath athe stud 79 of the feed pawl 71 and rocks the latter counter-clockwiseclear of its ratchet .61. Now, when the machine is operated and the bellcrank 62 rocks counter-clockwise, the pawl 70 advances its ratchet 60 towind the ribbon 30 on the spool 32, while one of thelobes 76 of thecontrol disk 7 7 holds the formerly active feed pawl 71 ineifective. Onthe first counter-cdockwise movement of the bell crank 62, after thecontrol disk 7 7 has been rocked to reverse the ribbon feed mechanism,the stud 104 rocks the lever 96 counterclockwise to raise the reversingpawl 94 to its normal position, so that spring 93 acting through pawl 94again urges the control disk 77 in counter-clockwise direction. Rotationof the control disk 77 is now restrained by the engagement of theinclined edge of one of the lobes 76 with a stud 110 on an arm 111pivoted at A roller 113 on the arm 111 rests against the peripheries ofthe disk 52 and collapsible annulus 91 of the spool 31, which latterholds the arm 111 against movement, thereby preventing another advanceof the control disk "7 until the ribbon 30 is nearly all unwound fromthe spool 81, whereupon the collapsible annulus 91 (not shown) on thisspool, yields to permit the arm 111 to carry stud 110 out of the path ofthe lobe 76, thus freeing the spring 93 to operate the reversing pawl94: and turn the control disk 7 7 one step to disengage the feed awlfrom its ratchet 60, and reengage the feed pawl 71 with its ratchet 61.

Since the control disk 77 is spring-actuated, it is conceivable thatsome peculiar condition might arise to prevent the full step of movementof the control disk. This could result either in holding both the feedpawls 7 0 and 71 clear of their respective ratchets 60 and 61, or inpermitting both feed pawls to engage their ratchets at the same time.Also, in a case of this nature, the reversing ratchet 98 would not besufficiently advanced, and the reversing pawl 94, when retracted, wouldfail to engage the next ratchet tooth. To obviate such a condition, aspring-pressed dog 115 pivoted on an arm 116 projecting from the feedpawl-carrying bell crank 62, is given an invariable movement at eachoperation of the machine, first in counterclockwise direction, and thenclockwise to normal. In case the spring 93 fails to advance the controldisk 77 its full step of movement the dog 115 on the first operation ofthe machine following the collapse of one of the collapsible annuli,picks up the reversing ratchet 98 and advances it and the control disk77 the proper distance.

It is to be understood that the normal movement of the control disk 77is effected by the spring 93, and that it is only in case of failure ofthe spring, due to some obstruction beyond the power of the spring toover come, that the dog 115 becomes effective. This dog is, therefore,merely a device to insure that the control disk 77 makes its full stepof movement at each operation.

lVhile the form of mechanism herein shown and described is admirablyadapted to fullfill the objects primarily stated, it is to be understoodthat it is not intended to confine the invention to the one form orembodiment herein disclosed, for it is susceptible of embodiment invarious forms all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

WVhat is claimed as new, is:

1.111 a machine of the class described; the combination with a pair ofribbon spools; of feed pawls adapted to drive the respective spools; asingle bell crank located intermediate the spools, both feed pawls beingmounted thereon and operated thereby; and an intermittently rotatablecontrol disk operable directly upon the feed pawls to hold the pawlsalternately out of operative relation with their spools.

2. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a pluralityof ribbon spools spaced apart from each other; of feed pawls normallyadapted to drive the respective spools; a single bell crank locatedintermediate the spools, one of the feed pawls being mounted on each armof the bell crank and operated thereby; and means co-axial with the bellcrank to render ineffective one or another of the pawls.

3. In a machine of the class described; the combination with ribbonspools of feed pawls to drive the respective spools; means to supportand operate the pawls; and a single lobed disc common to the feed pawlsto hold any of the pawls out of operative relation with its spool.

4:. In a machine of the class described; the combination with rotatableribbon spools; of feed pawls to drive the respective spools; means toactuate the feed pawls; a disk common to the several feed pawls andprovided with alternate high and low peripheral areas to determine whichof the pawls is to become effective; and means to operate the disk.

5. In a machine of the class described; the combination with rotatableribbon spools; of feed pawls to rotate the respective spools; means tooperate the pawls; a single control disc for the pawls, the operation ofwhich disc is determined by the ribbon to select which pawl shall becomeoperative; and means to intermittently advance the disc.

6. In a machine of the class described; the combination with ribbonspools; pawls to drive the spools; and means to operate the pawls; of asingle control disc having lobes to maintain one or another of the pawlsout of effective relation with its spool; a ratchet wheel fast on thecontrol disc; and springactuated means cooperating with the ratchetnormallytending to rotate the disc to shift the effective pawl out ofcooperative relation with its spool and enable the previouslyineffective pawl to become effective.

7 In a machine of the class described; the combination with ribbonspools; and pawls to rotate the spools; a single control disc tomaintain one or another of the pawls out of efiective relation with itsspool; a ratchet wheel fast on the side of the disc; and springactuatedmeans normally tending to rotate the ratchet and the control disc todisable one of the pawls and enable another of the pawls to shift intoeffective relation with its ratchet.

8. In a ribbon reversing mechanism, the combination with ribbon spools;a feed pawl for each spool; and means to actuate the pawls; of a singlecontrol disk adjustable to successive positions to alternately disableone or another of the pawls; spring-actuated means to shift the controldisk step by step; and means under control of the spools to normallyrestrain the control disk against operation.

9. In a machine of the class described; the combination with ribbonspools; a ratchet connected with each spool; a feed pawl to drive eachratchet; and means to actuate the pawls; of a sin le control disc forthe pawls; spring ac uaterl means to advance the control disc step bystep to effect alternate engagement and disengagementof the pawlsrelatively to their ratchets; and means under the control of the spoolsto normally restrain the spring-actuated means.

10. In a machine of the class described; the combination with ribbonspools; a ratchet connected 'With each spool; pivotally sup ported pawlsto drive their respective ratchets; and means to actuate the pawls; ofmeans to hold one of the pawls out of cooperative relation with itsratchet; spring-actuated means to rotate the holding means step by stepto alternately move the pawls into and out of cooperative relation withtheir ratchets; and positive means to insure a complete step of movementto the holding means in case of failure of the spring-actuated means.

11. In a ribbon feed and reversing mechanism the combination with ribbonspools; a driving element for each spool; and means to actuate thedriving elements; of means to control the operativeness of the drivingelements, including a control disk common to the elements and havinglobes spaced about its periphery adapted to disable one or another ofthe driving elements; spring-actuated means to advance the control diskstep by step to bring one or another of the lobes to effective position;and means to insure a full step of travel to the control disk.

12. In a ribbon feed and reversing mechanism, the combination withribbon spools; a driving element for each spool; and means to actuatethe driving elements; of means to control the operativeness of thedriving elements, including a control disk common to the elements andhaving lobes spaced about its periphery adapted to disable one oranother of the driving elements; means to ad vance the control disk stepby step to bring one or another of the lobes to effective position; andribbon-controlled-means to restrain the advance of the control disk.

13. In a ribbon feed and reversing mechanism the combination with ribbonspools; a driving element for each spool; and means to actuate thedriving elements; of shiftable means to control the operativeness of oneor another of the driving elements; means normally tending to shift thecontrol means; ribbon-controlled means to restrain the shiftable controlmeans in any of its adjusted posions; and means to insure a full step ofmovement to the control means.

14. In a ribbon feed and reversing mechanism, the combination withribbon spools; a driving element for each spool; and means to actuatethe driving elements; of adjustable means to disable one or another ofthe driving elements as determined by the rib bon; means to shift theadjustable means; and means operable by the actuating means for thedriving elements to insure full step of movement to the adjustabledisabling means.

15. In a ribbon feed and reversing mechanism, the combination withribbon spools; a driving element for each spool; and means to actuatethe driving elements; of adjustable means todisable one or another ofthe driving elements; means normally tending to shift the adjustabledisabling means to vary its control of the driving elements, and adaptedto be restored to its effective position by the actuating means for thedriving elements; and ribbon-controlled means to restrain theshiftingmeans for the adjustable control means against operation.

16. In a ribbon feed and reversing mechanism the combination with ribbonspools; a driving element for each spool; and means to actuate thedriving elements; of an adjustable control member common to the severaldriving elements to disable one or another thereof; means normallytending to shift the control member to vary its control of the drivingelements; ribbon-controlled means to render the shifting meansineffective; and means to insure a full step of adjustment to thecontrol member.

17. In a ribbon feed and reversing mechanism; the combination withribbon spools; and driving elements for the respective spools; of adrive lever on which the driving elements are mounted; an adjustablecontrol member to disable one or another of the driving elements; meansto shift the adjustable control member to vary its control of theoperativeness of the driving elements; ribbon-controlled means todetermine the effectiveness ofthe shifting means for'the adjustablecontrol member; and means actuated by the drive lever to insure a fullstep of adjustment to the control member.

18. In a ribbon feed and reversing mechanism; the combination withribbon spools; and driving. elements for the respective spools; of adrive lever on which the driving elements are mounted; an adjustablecontrol member to disable one or another of the driving elements; apotentially effective means tending to shift the adjustable controlmember in one direction to vary its control of the operativeness of thedrive elements; and ribbon-controlled means to determine theeffectiveness of the shifting means; the drive lever adapted to restorethe shifting means to potentially effective position.

19. In a ribbon feed and reversing mechanism, the combination withribbon spools; and a driving element for each spool; of a driving leverserving as a common support for the driving elements; an adjustablecontrol member journaled coaxially with the drive lever, and operableupon the spooldriving elements to render one ineffective and enableanother to become effective; alternately-effective ribbon-controlledmeans to restrain the control member where last adjusted; means,including a draft member and a rocking support, tending to adjust thecontrol member; means controlled by the driving lever to insure a fullstep of adjustment to the control member, and to restore the draftmember to its normal potentially effective position.

20. In a ribbon feed and reversing mechanism, the combination withribbon spools; driving elements for the respective spools; and means toactuate the respective driving elements; of an adjustable control memberto determine the operativeness of one or another of the drivingelements; a toothed device fast with the control member; a pawl toengage the toothed device to intermittently actuate the control member;a lever to support the pawl; means operable upon the pawl to cause it totend to actuate the control member; ribbon-controlled means to restrainthe control member from operation; the actuating means for the drivingelements adapted to restore the pawl to its potentially effectiveposition.

21. In a ribbon feed and reversing mechanism, the combination withribbon spools; driving elements for the respective spools; and means toactuate the respective driving elements; of a trunnion and a thimble onwhich each spool is rotatably mounted; means to releasably connect eachspool with its trunnion; a friction disk mounted on each trunnion; astud on which one end of each thimble is rotatably mounted, the thimbleseach having a flange tocontact the adjacent disk of the spool; the studseach having an elongated reduced end passing through the closed ends oftheir respective thimbles to serve as guides; and means enclosed withinand operable against the closed ends of the thimbles to thrust thespools axially and cause the disks at the ends of the spools oppositethe, thimbles to force the trunnions and their friction disks againststationary supports and thereby retard overrunning of the spools.

22. In a machine of the class described; the combination of ribbonspools; means to drive the spools; and a spring-actuated control disknormally tending to rotate to control the eflectivity of the drivemeans.

23. In a machine of the class described; the combination of ribbonspools; a pawl to drive each spool; a spring-actuated control disk tomaintain one or another of the pawls out of eifective relation with itsspool, said disk normally tending to rotate; and means to release thecontrol disk.

24. In a machine of the class described; the combination of ribbonspools; a pawl to drive each spool; a spring-actuated control disknormally tending to rotate to disable one or another of the pawls; meansunder control of the spools to release the control disk; and means tolimit the extent of rotation of the disk when released.

25. In a machine of the class described; the combination of ribbonspools; means to drive the spools to wind the ribbon from one spool tothe other and reverse; and a power driven control disk to control thedrive means to reverse the direction of feed of the ribbon; and meanscontrolled by the ribbon to release the power driven control disk.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

BERNIS M. SHIPLEY.

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